Previous edition: 2008. Includes bibliographical references and index.

Overview: For nearly 20 years, designers and non-designers alike have been introduced to the fundamental principles of great design by author Robin Williams. Through her straightforward and light-hearted style, Robin has taught hundreds of thousands of people how to make their designs look professional using four surprisingly simple principles. Now in its fourth edition, The Non-Designer's Design Book offers even more practical design advice, including a new chapter on the fundamentals of typography, more quizzes and exercises to train your Designer Eye, updated projects for you to try, and new visual and typographic examples to inspire your creativity. Whether you're a Mac user or a Windows user, a type novice, or an aspiring graphic designer, you will find the instruction and inspiration to approach any design project with confidence. Is this book for you? -- [I.] Design principles : 1. Introduction : Joshua tree epiphany ; Four basic principles -- 2. Proximity : Basic purpose ; How to get it ; What to avoid -- 3. Alignment : Basic purpose ; How to get it ; What to avoid -- 4. Repetition : Basic purpose ; How to get it ; What to avoid -- 5. Contrast : Basic purpose ; How to get it ; What to avoid -- 6. Review of the four design principles : Proximity ; Alignment ; Repetition ; Contrast ; Little quiz #1: Design principles ; Little quiz #2: Redesign this ad -- 7. Design with color : The amazing color wheel ; Color relationships : Complementary; Triads; Split complement triads; Analogous colors ; Shades and tints : Make your own shades and tints; Monochromatic colors; Shades and tints in combination ; Watch the tones ; Warm colors vs cool colors ; How to begin to choose? ; CMYK vs. RGB: print vs web ; Print vs. web color models ; Little quiz #3: Color -- 8. Extra tips & tricks : Creating a package or brand -- Business cards : Tips on designing business cards : Format ; Type size ; Create a consistent image on all pieces -- Letterhead and envelopes : Tips on letterhead and envelope design : Envelope size ; Create a focal point ; Alignment ; Second page ; Faxing and copying -- Flyers : Tips on designing flyers : Create a focal point ; Use subheads that contrast ; Repetition ; Alignment -- Newsletters : Tips on designing newsletters : Alignment ; Paragraph indents ; Not Helvetica/Arial! ; Readable body copy -- Brochures : Tips on designing brochures : Contrast ; Repetition ; Alignment ; Proximity -- Postcards : Tips on designing postcards : What's your point? ; Grab their attention ; Contrast ; In general -- Advertising : Tips on designing ads : Contrast ; Type choices ; Reverse type -- Ršumš : Tips on designing ršumš : Contrast ; Repetition ; Alignment ; Match the design to the medium -- [II.] Designing With Type : 9. Essentials of typography : One space after punctuation ; Quotation marks ; Apostrophes : Little quiz #4: Apostrophes ; Dashes ; Special characters ; Accent marks ; Capitals ; Underlining ; Kerning ; Widows and orphans ; Miscellaneous -- 10. Type (& life) : Concord ; Conflict ; Contrast -- 11. Categories of type : Oldstyle ; Modern ; Slab serif ; Sans serif ; Script ; Decorative ; Be conscious : Little quiz #5: Categories of type; Little quiz #6: Thick/thin transitions ; Little quiz #7: Serifs -- 12. Type contrasts : Size ; Weight ; Structure ; Form ; Direction ; Color ; Combine the contrasts ; Little quiz #8: Contrast or conflict ; Little quiz #9: Dos and don'ts ; Exercise in combining contrasts -- [III.] A few extras : Does it make sense? : Process ; An exercise ; Okay: redesign this! -- 14. Answers & suggestions : Quiz answers ; Designer eye suggestions -- 15. Typefaces in this book : Primary faces ; Modern ; Oldstyle ; Slab serif ; Sans serif ; Script ; Ornaments ; Decorative. Is this book for you? -- Introduction -- Proximity -- Alignment-- Repetition -- Contrast -- Review of the four design principles -- Design with color -- Extra tips & tricks.